Both teams had a handful of chances in the first half, and Akpan got his first look at goal in the 32nd minute with a shot that went just wide of the post. Chicago responded with shots from Orr Barouch and Daniel Paladini, but neither could find the target. In minute 36, Colorado defender Hunter Freeman found Kamani Hill on a long cross, and Hill’s shot was deflected and finished by Akpan to put the Rapids up 1-0.

Chicago evened the score in the 60th minute when Barouch took a left footed shot inside the box that Colorado goalkeeper Steward Ceus saved, but Federico Puppo arrived to finish the rebound. The Rapids answered back in the 85th minute as Akpan scored from close range on a rebound from Quincy Amarikwa’s shot.

The loss was the first of the season for the Fire, who defeated Real Salt Lake 1-0 last Tuesday, and was the first win for the Rapids in their third match of the Reserve League schedule. The Rapids next face RSL Reserves on April 8 in Utah, while the Fire will travel to Sporting KC for their next match on April 10.